out2live
09-10-2007, 04:07 PM
I would like to say hello to everyone and share a little bit about myself by way of introduction.
I am an evangelical Christian who in April of this year finally came out to my friends and family. I am 25 and my faith has always been a big part of my life. I grew up always going to church; I went on staff at my local church around the age 17. Upon graduating high school, I went off to Bible college in upstate New York, then took courses through Moody Bible Institute. While on staff at my local church I led worship for all services and doubled as an administrative assistant. Being so involved with ministry made it very hard for me to express what was really going on inside. Fear of what people would think if they found out I was gay constantly was on my mind. I went through a very traumatic time in my life in my early twenties and went to several Christian counselors. I explained the struggle that I was dealing with and the hope that I was given was that I could change. I wanted to change and that was my goal. Four years of trying to do things "right" did nothing but leave me even more frustrated than before. One day I was with a pastor who had been counseling me, and he finally said to me that being gay was not a choice but rather was who I am. I know to some that may sound like no big deal, but to me that was what I needed to hear. Finally a huge weight was lifted. He let me know that it was my choice to act on that (or not) and that was where the spiritual issue was. That sufficed for the time being. As time went on though, I longed for a relationship and to be with someone. Now I was at the point where I was told "It's ok to be gay...as long as you don't 'live that out'". I started seeing a secular counselor who was such a help to me I could never say thank you enough to her. She helped me come to terms with being gay and Christian -- not that I have reconciled the two, but that I acknowledge they are both a huge part of me and can both remain a huge part of me. I still am working through that whole aspect. I started dating someone in April of this past year and I did not want to keep that relationship a secret to my friends and family. So one by one I told each of my family members and friends most of whom are evangelical christians themselves and many of them active in ministry. It was very hard for me, but thank God, not one of them turned their back on me. God has been so good over this past year and has worked in my life to bring about so much positive change. Recently, I just graduated from Liberty University (that to some is another discussion :o), but I am glad to finally be finished. I found soulforce in a search for getting to know others that share a similar story and hope to build friendships while growing along the way. I look forward to getting to know everyone.
I am an evangelical Christian who in April of this year finally came out to my friends and family. I am 25 and my faith has always been a big part of my life. I grew up always going to church; I went on staff at my local church around the age 17. Upon graduating high school, I went off to Bible college in upstate New York, then took courses through Moody Bible Institute. While on staff at my local church I led worship for all services and doubled as an administrative assistant. Being so involved with ministry made it very hard for me to express what was really going on inside. Fear of what people would think if they found out I was gay constantly was on my mind. I went through a very traumatic time in my life in my early twenties and went to several Christian counselors. I explained the struggle that I was dealing with and the hope that I was given was that I could change. I wanted to change and that was my goal. Four years of trying to do things "right" did nothing but leave me even more frustrated than before. One day I was with a pastor who had been counseling me, and he finally said to me that being gay was not a choice but rather was who I am. I know to some that may sound like no big deal, but to me that was what I needed to hear. Finally a huge weight was lifted. He let me know that it was my choice to act on that (or not) and that was where the spiritual issue was. That sufficed for the time being. As time went on though, I longed for a relationship and to be with someone. Now I was at the point where I was told "It's ok to be gay...as long as you don't 'live that out'". I started seeing a secular counselor who was such a help to me I could never say thank you enough to her. She helped me come to terms with being gay and Christian -- not that I have reconciled the two, but that I acknowledge they are both a huge part of me and can both remain a huge part of me. I still am working through that whole aspect. I started dating someone in April of this past year and I did not want to keep that relationship a secret to my friends and family. So one by one I told each of my family members and friends most of whom are evangelical christians themselves and many of them active in ministry. It was very hard for me, but thank God, not one of them turned their back on me. God has been so good over this past year and has worked in my life to bring about so much positive change. Recently, I just graduated from Liberty University (that to some is another discussion :o), but I am glad to finally be finished. I found soulforce in a search for getting to know others that share a similar story and hope to build friendships while growing along the way. I look forward to getting to know everyone.